Pre-school in limbo over its new home

BOSSES of a fire-hit preschool say they have been “left in limbo” – despite a residents’ association being told to leave its base to make room for the group.

Basildon Council told Five Links Residents’ Association it had to leave its base in Somercotes, Laindon, so the building could be revamped for Busy Bees.

The pre-school, in nearby Laindon Link, burnt to the ground in a suspected arson attack in February and staff have been told it is unlikely it will be rebuilt.

However, the move to the Five Links Residents Association has also stalled, leaving Busy Bees in doubt about when – or if – it will happen.

Tracey Hill, office manager at the pre-school, said: “Because of the elections, we are still waiting to hear exactly who is in charge now and what’s happening. We’ve been left in limbo.

“Five Links is a good location for us because a lot of parents live on the estate, but we don’t want to kick anyone out.

“We’re happy to share the building with the residents’ association.

“Our main aim is still to get back to our own building.

“If the council rebuilt it, we would buy the lease and rent it out to all the other groups who have been left stranded by the fire.”

Basildon Council is set to plough money into regenerating Bluehouse Farm Community Centre, which is next door to the former Busy Bees building and was also damaged in the blaze.

Eventually, Busy Bees could be given a permanent home in the community centre.

Basildon Council refused to confirm whether Five Links was still an option, but said it was “always a temporary solution”.

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A spokesman added: “Our property management team is assessing a number of options to help Busy Bees Nursery, including the possibility of carrying out remedial works at Bluehouse Farm Community Centre, which adjoins the old nursery building damaged by the fire last February.

“As soon as a viable option is chosen, it will be put forward to the staff and parents.”

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Comments (4)

It really is time the council make a decision really they should rebuild the old hall,there is no community centre in the five links area and in September where are the children meant to go? No other schools ghaveave spaces. This school has been in the area since 1973 so come on let's get them back there

It really is time the council make a decision really they should rebuild the old hall,there is no community centre in the five links area and in September where are the children meant to go? No other schools ghaveave spaces.
This school has been in the area since 1973 so come on let's get them back theretracy91

It really is time the council make a decision really they should rebuild the old hall,there is no community centre in the five links area and in September where are the children meant to go? No other schools ghaveave spaces. This school has been in the area since 1973 so come on let's get them back there

Score: 3

dmlocke83 says...8:32pm Wed 4 Jun 14

Omg what is taking so long nearly 5 months later get this building rebuilt so the playschool can get back to normality there are so many children in the area that need this preschool back up and running all other preschools are fully booked.

Omg what is taking so long nearly 5 months later get this building rebuilt so the playschool can get back to normality there are so many children in the area that need this preschool back up and running all other preschools are fully booked.dmlocke83

Omg what is taking so long nearly 5 months later get this building rebuilt so the playschool can get back to normality there are so many children in the area that need this preschool back up and running all other preschools are fully booked.

Score: 1

Kim Gandy says...8:59pm Wed 4 Jun 14

tracy91 wrote…

It really is time the council make a decision really they should rebuild the old hall,there is no community centre in the five links area and in September where are the children meant to go? No other schools ghaveave spaces. This school has been in the area since 1973 so come on let's get them back there

Have you spoken to your local councillors? Now you have more UKIP on board you may well get a bit more cooperation. Fortunately the Labour and Libdem mob were given their marching orders by the people of Basildon two weeks ago in the election. Unfortunately there are a handful of them left - until next year when they will be cut down even further by the voting public. After 12th June the new council will be up and running. I'm not sure who your councillors are there but it's worth a try. Hopefully they won't be Labour.

[quote][p][bold]tracy91[/bold] wrote:
It really is time the council make a decision really they should rebuild the old hall,there is no community centre in the five links area and in September where are the children meant to go? No other schools ghaveave spaces.
This school has been in the area since 1973 so come on let's get them back there[/p][/quote]Have you spoken to your local councillors? Now you have more UKIP on board you may well get a bit more cooperation.
Fortunately the Labour and Libdem mob were given their marching orders by the people of Basildon two weeks ago in the election. Unfortunately there are a handful of them left - until next year when they will be cut down even further by the voting public. After 12th June the new council will be up and running. I'm not sure who your councillors are there but it's worth a try. Hopefully they won't be Labour.Kim Gandy

tracy91 wrote…

It really is time the council make a decision really they should rebuild the old hall,there is no community centre in the five links area and in September where are the children meant to go? No other schools ghaveave spaces. This school has been in the area since 1973 so come on let's get them back there

Have you spoken to your local councillors? Now you have more UKIP on board you may well get a bit more cooperation. Fortunately the Labour and Libdem mob were given their marching orders by the people of Basildon two weeks ago in the election. Unfortunately there are a handful of them left - until next year when they will be cut down even further by the voting public. After 12th June the new council will be up and running. I'm not sure who your councillors are there but it's worth a try. Hopefully they won't be Labour.

Score: 2

keithrg says...11:05am Tue 17 Jun 14

Basildon Borough council strikes one again. I see that they should convert the other side of building and relocated the smaller groups that use that. Then rebuild. The fact they Illegally tried to chuck the 5 links residents association out off The five link building which requires in excess off £33.000 of work to make it fit to let. Leaving funding that has been thrown at the association to be a complete waste. is MAD. Id also like to ad that this building is not acceptable and will never get OFSTEAD Registration. I wish use luck and it should be pushed that demantable buildings are put on blue house as temporary Accommodation with fenced of area but this is way to straight forward.

Basildon Borough council strikes one again. I see that they should convert the other side of building and relocated the smaller groups that use that. Then rebuild. The fact they Illegally tried to chuck the 5 links residents association out off The five link building which requires in excess off £33.000 of work to make it fit to let. Leaving funding that has been thrown at the association to be a complete waste. is MAD. Id also like to ad that this building is not acceptable and will never get OFSTEAD Registration. I wish use luck and it should be pushed that demantable buildings are put on blue house as temporary Accommodation with fenced of area but this is way to straight forward.keithrg

Basildon Borough council strikes one again. I see that they should convert the other side of building and relocated the smaller groups that use that. Then rebuild. The fact they Illegally tried to chuck the 5 links residents association out off The five link building which requires in excess off £33.000 of work to make it fit to let. Leaving funding that has been thrown at the association to be a complete waste. is MAD. Id also like to ad that this building is not acceptable and will never get OFSTEAD Registration. I wish use luck and it should be pushed that demantable buildings are put on blue house as temporary Accommodation with fenced of area but this is way to straight forward.

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